\Some truckers still remember the days when CB radio ruled supreme as a “must have gadget.” The truckers of today have replaced the CB radio with internet-enabled mobile phones and tablets. Since a mere six percent of truckers are estimated to be below the age of 35, it’s not surprising that the trucking industry is more resistant to change than other industries. However, just passing a CDL test is no longer enough to be a successful owner-operator in the 21 century. Modernizing your business in a tech-savvy new mobile economy is now a necessity.
The resistance some feel when adapting new technologies is easy to understand when a process already feels tried and true. But there are conveniences that these new “gadgets” can create to save you time and money. Some of the perks of these devices are obvious, such as voiced step-by-step directions, being able to communicate at all times via mobile phone and internet communications, and instantly logging hours with the click of a button. But when these technologies occasionally fail, there are other accessories every driver should consider buying to smooth out the bumps of using technology on the road. Here are 3 affordable gadgets for truckers to stay connected through technology, no matter what happens or where you are.\Electric Power Inverter. If you aren’t already an owner of an electric power inverter, they are one of the least costly ways to make sure you have constant usability of your gadgets. While on the road, it’s essential to access GPS and your phone at all times. Having a backup power supply, such as an electric power inverter, gives some leniency of your power. This is important so that video chatting with family or catching up on Team Run Smart articles on your phone won’t become an unreasonable use of your power.
- \Portable Solar Panel. For those with a green thumb, portable solar panels can be a reasonably priced alternative for charging your gadgets while on the road. While they don’t carry as great of a charge as an electric power inverter typically does and take a bit longer to charge, they can keep your essentials ready to access whenever you need them. For the truly budget-friendly or “do-it-yourself” obsessed, there are even directions online for creating your own portable solar panel.
- \Mobile Wireless Internet or “Hotspots.” Every trucker knows the annoyance of seeing the bars on their gadgets dwindle as they cross into a stretch lasting hundreds of miles in the middle of nowhere. Having to hunt down hotspots at truck stops, diners, and coffee shops can be burdensome. But with the availability of mobile wireless Internet packages, these inconveniences are only optional. As connectivity becomes a greater concern for an increasingly connected industry, it’s crucial for drivers to have a contingency for when they lose availability for an extended period of time.
In addition to these three accessories, consider improving your mobile availability with longer lasting batteries on your equipment, protective shells and cases for each piece of tech, and phone/tablet/GPS holsters for your cab. This will ensure easy reach for any of your devices whenever you need them. With the safety and longevity of gadgets no longer a concern, truckers can experience technology as a convenience rather than a complication.